{"id":235291,"date":"2023-09-08T20:20:26","date_gmt":"2023-09-08T20:20:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lovemainstream.com\/?p=235291"},"modified":"2023-09-08T20:20:26","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T20:20:26","slug":"rugby-world-cup-arrives-with-a-bang-as-stade-de-france-enjoys-show","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lovemainstream.com\/lifestyle\/rugby-world-cup-arrives-with-a-bang-as-stade-de-france-enjoys-show\/","title":{"rendered":"Rugby World Cup arrives with a bang as Stade de France enjoys show"},"content":{"rendered":"
The Rugby World Cup began with an extravagant opening ceremony at the Stade de France ahead of the host nation’s clash with New Zealand.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Fans were treated to a boisterous and quaint show infused with French culture, with a gigantic replica Eiffel Tower in the middle of the stadium, a flyover in their flag’s colours, and a baguette masquerading as a rugby ball.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Fireworks fizzed out of the top of the ground and 240 volunteers performed to herald the arrival of a tournament which will run until October 28.<\/p>\n
French president Emmanuel Macron was greeted with a chorus of boos as he took to the podium to give a speech.\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, those boos soon turned into chants of ‘Allez les Bleus’ as he declared: ‘I wish you all a fantastic World Cup in France, full of courage and panache… The time has come. I now declare the Rugby World Cup open!’\u00a0<\/p>\n
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A gigantic replica Eiffel Tower was erected in the middle of the Stade de France in a vibrant showcase of French culture\u00a0<\/p>\n
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A performance from around 240 volunteers entertained fans as the show built to a crescendo<\/p>\n
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President Emmanuel Macron gave a rallying speech but was initially booed by spectators<\/p>\n
The ceremony began with actor Jean Dujardin wheeling his way into view with a stack of baguettes on a wooden contraption, handing them out to various people as traditional French music played.\u00a0<\/p>\n
What followed was a dance and a love story, as Dujardin spotted a lady in pink across the floor.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Prominent French singer Vianney, who has previously collaborated with Ed Sheeran, also made an appearance, and Zaz sang to soundtrack a dance in pairs, with Dujardin enjoying a twirl with his newfound love.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There was even William Webb Ellis, long credited as the inventor of rugby, as a pretend projection of him made a speech about the sport.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Performers gathered into a scrum and the impresive Eiffel Tower model was erected in the centre of the stadium.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As the music built to a crescendo, fireworks boomed out of the top of the ground and the tricolour flag was drawn over the stadium as planes zoomed overhead.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Each competing nation’s flag was on display to represent the teams vying to be back in Paris towards the end of October.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Actor Jean Dujardin was the central figure in a carefully choreographed performance\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Zaz sang a traditional French song as actors and actresses danced to her tune\u00a0<\/p>\n
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French singer Vianney, who has previously collaborated with Ed Sheeran, showed his face<\/p>\n
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Performers formed the largest scrum you’ll see this World Cup as the show continued<\/p>\n
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Dujardin was suspended in the air as the outskirts of Paris became the heart of world rugby\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Rugby fever was in full swing among those who had secured tickets, with many fans sporting fancy dress<\/p>\n